Finland

Photo: Team Finland forwards Jesse Puljujarvi (L) and Sebastian Aho (R) celebrate Aho’s goal in the third period of the gold medal game at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship (courtesy of MARKKU ULANDER/AFP/Getty Images)

Team Finland captured their second U20 title in three years after defeating Russia in overtime by a 4-3 score. As the scorer of the overtime, “Golden Goal” at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland, Kasperi Kapanen (TOR) joined countrymen Rasmus Ristolainen (2014) and Niklas Hagman (1998) as Finns that have secured the gold for their country at this event with an overtime marker. Read more»

Photo: Team Finland players Kasperi Kapanen and Joni Tuulola (R) along with other Finnish players begin their gold medal celebration after Kapanen’s overtime goal gave Finland the 4-3 win over Russia in the championship game of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship (courtesy of MARKKU ULANDER/AFP/Getty Images)

It may have been a nerve-wracking game for the hometown fans to watch, but Team Finland’s 4-3 overtime victory over Russia in the gold medal game at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship will be that much more memorable for all involved after a see-saw third period and sudden-death goal. Read more»

While Team Finland had displayed an impressive offensive performance prior to the semi-finals at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, there were some doubts that the Finns could come out on top in a tighter-checking affair in their semi-final bout against a strong and determined Swedish squad. Read more»

Photo: Team Finland players celebrate a goal by Jesse Puljujarvi (#29) in Finland’s 6-5 quarterfinal win over Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship (courtesy of MARKKU ULANDER/AFP/Getty Images)

In a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair, Team Finland sent the hometown fans home happy after defeating Canada, 6-5, in a quarterfinal matchup at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. The win at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki sends the Finns into a semi-final clash with their neighbors and archrivals, Sweden. Read more»